• APS-C 369.7mm2
  • 14.2 megapixels
  • ISO 200 - 12,800
  • 1/1.63 inch 46.2mm2
  • 10.1 megapixels
  • 24.00mm - 90.00mm (35mm eq.)
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha DSLR-A550
  • Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Links
Prices:    
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 webpage
Predecessor:   Panasonic DMC-LX3
DMC-LX3 vs LX5
Successor:   Panasonic LX7
LX5 vs LX7
General
Model Number: DSLR-A550 LX5
Alternate Model Number(s):    
Camera Format: SLR Compact
Currently Manufactured: No No
Retail Price: $1049.99 $499.95
Street Price: $859.40 $550.32
Date Available: 2009-10-08 2010-08-31
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 32.2 oz (912 g)
includes batteries, kit lens
9.6 oz (271 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.4 x 4.1 x 3.3 in.
(137 x 104 x 84 mm)
4.3 x 2.6 x 1.7 in.
(110 x 66 x 43 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CCD
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 14.2 10.1
Sensor Format: APS-C 1/1.63 inch
Sensor size: 369.72mm2 (23.7mm x 15.6mm) 46.2365mm2 (7.85mm x 5.89mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.16 microns 1.98 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.5x n/a
Aspect Ratio: 3:2, 16:9 4:3
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed  
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: No No
DxO Sensor Score: 66 41
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 21.9 19.6
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 11.8 10.8
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 807 132
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 4592 x 3056 (14.0 MP, 3:2),
4592 x 2576 (11.8 MP, 16:9),
3344 x 2224 (7.4 MP, 3:2),
3344 x 1872 (6.3 MP, Other),
2288 x 1520 (3.5 MP, Other),
2288 x 1280 (2.9 MP, Other)
3648 x 2736 (10.0 MP, 4:3),
3072 x 2304 (7.1 MP, 4:3),
2560 x 1920 (4.9 MP, 4:3),
2048 x 1536 (3.1 MP, 4:3),
1600 x 1200 (1.9 MP, 4:3),
640 x 480 (0.3 MP, 4:3),
3776 x 2520 (9.5 MP, 3:2),
3168 x 2112 (6.7 MP, 3:2),
2656 x 1768 (4.7 MP, 3:2),
2112 x 1408 (3.0 MP, 3:2),
2048 x 1360 (2.8 MP, Other),
640 x 424 (0.3 MP, Other),
3968 x 2232 (8.9 MP, 16:9),
3328 x 1872 (6.2 MP, 16:9),
2784 x 1568 (4.4 MP, 16:9),
2208 x 1248 (2.8 MP, Other)
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW JPEG (EXIF 2.3), RAW, RAW+JPEG
Continuous-mode frames/second: 6.7 1.8
Video Capture
Can take movies: No Yes
Movie Resolution: 1280x720 (60/​50/​30)
848x480 (30)
640x480 (30)
320x240 (30)
Movie File Format:   AVCHD Lite / QT Motion JPEG
Composite Video Out: No Yes
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a Yes
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony Alpha (Minolta A) n/a
Lens: Sony 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 DT SAM LEICA DC VARIO-SUMMICRON; 10 elements in 9 groups, 3 aspherical elements
Focal Length (35mm equivalent): 27 - 83mm 24 - 90mm
Focal Length (actual): 18 - 55mm 5.1 - 19.2mm
Zoom Ratio: 3.00x 3.80x
Aperture Range: f/3.5 - 22 (W), f/5.6 - ?? (T) f/2.0 (wide) / f/3.3 (tele) - f/8 (up to f/11 (W) / f/18 (T) in movies)
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:   50 cm to Infinity
19.7 in to Infinity
Macro Focus Range:   1 cm to Infinity
0.4 in to Infinity
Filter Thread: 55.0mm n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No Yes
Digital Zoom: No Yes
Digital Zoom Values: n/a 4x ( Max. 15.1 x combined with Optical Zoom without Extra Optical Zoom )
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: 9-point TTL phase detection (one cross-type sensor) with eye-start AF; Wide, Spot, Local modes Contrast Detect: Face / AF Tracking / Multi (23pt) / 1pt (flexible / scalable)
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes Yes
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: Optical / LCD LCD
Viewfinder Type: SLR type; eye-level pentamirror, 95% coverage, 0.80x mag., 19mm eyepoint, -2.5 to +1.0 diopter Optional EVF in hot shoe (DMW-LVF1, same as GF1)
Focus Peaking: No No
EVF Resolution: n/a n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.53x  
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.80x  
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes No
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 921,600 dots 460,000 dots
Touchscreen: No No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No
Selfie Screen: No
Max Playback Zoom: 14.0x 16.0x
Top Deck Display: No
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 12800  
Minimum ISO (native): 200  
ISO Settings: Auto (200-1600), 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12800 Auto, iISO, High Sensitivity Auto (1600-12800), 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400*, 12800* (* by pixel mixed readout)
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Custom Auto, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Flash, Halogen, Color Temperature, White Set 1, White Set 2
Shutter Speed Range: 1/4000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 60 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes No
Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.3EV steps
Metering Modes: 40-segment Multi Segment, Center-weighted, Spot; (1200 zone evaluative metering in Live View) Intelligent Multiple, Center-Weighted, Spot
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Portrait, Landscape, Macro, Sports, Sunset, Night Portrait/Night View Creative Movie, My Color, Custom 1,2; Portrait, Soft Skin, Self-Portrait, Scenery, Panorama Assist, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, High Sensitivity, Food, Party, Candle Light, Baby1, Baby2, Pet, Sunset, Hi-Speed Burst, Flash Burst, Starry Sky, Fireworks, Beach, Snow, Aerial Photo
Self Timer: 2 or 10 seconds 2, 10 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: Yes Yes
Flash Modes: Auto, Fill-flash, Rear sync, Wireless, High-Speed sync, Slow sync, Red-eye reduction: On/Off Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off, Flash Synchro; 1st / 2nd
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): 12.0 m / 39.4 ft. n/a
Flash Range Description: Lens dependent 0.8 - 7.2m (Wide/ISO Auto), 0.3 - 4.4m (Tele/ISO Auto)
Max Flash Sync: 1/160  
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 2.0 EV in 0.3EV steps  
External Flash Connection: Hot shoe Hot Shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: Full TTL exposure  
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS Duo / MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support:    
Other Memory:    
Dual Card Slots: No No
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW RAW, RAW+JPEG
Movie File Format:   AVCHD Lite / QT Motion JPEG
Included Memory:   40.0 MB
Included Memory Type:   built-in memory
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: No No
NFC: No
Bluetooth: No No
Built-In GPS: No No
Microphone Jack: No No
Headphone Jack: No No
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed USB 2.0 High Speed
PictBridge Compliant: Yes Yes
DPOF Compliant: Yes Yes
Remote Control: Yes No
Remote Control Type: Optional Wireless or Wired  
Connections (extended): DC input, mini-HDMI, Wired Remote DC Input, Mini HDMI with Viera Link
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): 0.41 1.59
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame): 0.41 1.88
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames): 19 3
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot):    
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No Yes
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 6.7 1.8
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 15 3
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames):    
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps):    
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames):    
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.18 seconds 0.35 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):   0.37 seconds
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.178 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash): 0.22 seconds 0.56 seconds
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.074 seconds 0.012 seconds
Shutter Lag (notes): Quick AF Live View shutter lag: 0.188s  
Startup Time: 0.5 seconds 2.3 seconds
Play -> Record Time: 0.4 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power: 3.5 seconds 4.8 seconds
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View):   400 shots
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 950 shots  
Battery Life, Video:    
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary NP-FM500H Proprietary
Usable Battery Types: Lithium-ion rechargeable 3.6V 1250mAh Lithium Ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FM500H 1 x Proprietary Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included:
Internal Charging Supported:
Software
Included Software: Software/USB Driver CD-ROM PHOTOfunSTUDIO 5.0 HD Edition, SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.1 SE
OS Compatibility: Windows 2000/XP/Vista, Mac OS X (v. 10.13+)  
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: Exmore CMOS Sensor, Variable-angle LCD, SteadyShot In-body Sensor-shift Image Stabilization, Live View, Auto HDR, D-Range Optimizer (Auto, Level 1-5), HDMI Output, 7 fps (AF/AE Locked). Power OIS, 720p movies, hot shoe with socket for Live View finder (same DMW-LVF1 finder as for the GF1). Available in black and white.